Could there be changes to the CCEYA?

[Artsand crafts]

Arts and Crafts...I'll come in and update after the meeting on the 15th. Keep an eye out. Really, we all felt very good about the response from the head of the Early Years Division after our last meeting (enough that we high fived when we got out of eyesight ) We have cogent arguments and a solid foundation of research...not to mention and ultra cute and squishy video to get everyone 'in the mood' to hear us out. We intend to show them how amazing our sector really is. We're willing to bet they're going to be blown away when they see what we really offer!

I am sure you guys will do a great job. I watched the audiences before the law was approved and there were very educated and articulated ladies speaking on our behalf with great speeches. I think from then on we have changed they way some politicians look at us.

[lplplp]

I just wanted to point something out. The monthly fee to be associated with an agency is extremely high and should be illegal. There is NO WAY it costs the agency to do 2 yearly inspections a year 500-1000 dollars a month when the ministry of education is targeting and doing RANDOM inspections for home daycare providers (I had mine last month). They are inspecting us by targeting to make sure we are not "illegal' so why even pay an agency when we are technically getting the inspection for free!

Kindertime is right I asked an agency what I would take home and they said $25 a day lol meanwhile the going rate is 35-50 in my area.

This is why I said that if the Ministry really wants oversight of all home daycares, they should figure it out themselves. There have been many, many inspectors visiting daycares in my area to make sure they are in compliance with the new laws. They should just continue this if they want to make sure everyone is in compliance. Like I said earlier, for me to have to pay to have myself inspected is a little crazy!

However, ottawamommy, what you're referring to is the current agency model. The co-op would be different and cost less.

[Artsand crafts]

This is why I said that if the Ministry really wants oversight of all home daycares, they should figure it out themselves. There have been many, many inspectors visiting daycares in my area to make sure they are in compliance with the new laws. They should just continue this if they want to make sure everyone is in compliance. Like I said earlier, for me to have to pay to have myself inspected is a little crazy!

The problem is that MOE is not looking to improve quality of daycare (or oversight) they are just trying to look like they are doing their job. This law would not have prevented the Vaughan toddler's death, but for some reason this is the best "solution" they found to look good in the media. For that reason I don't see why they would be interested on investing a penny on us. We now have to look for our ourselves and fortunately someone is doing so now through CIPCO. No model is perfect, I wish I have to pay not even a single dime to get "licensed", but money to pay an inspector (which is a minimum requirement) has to come from somewhere.

[cfred]

Thanks Arts and Crafts! I'm so happy to hear that! I believe we would be entitled to the same perks as any licensed agency.

Ottawamommy, that's what we thought, too. There is quite a bit of misunderstanding about the agency model and where the funds go. It actually is very expensive to run. Each 25 providers has an RECE who pays monthly visits for mentoring, support, safety inspections, etc. Having an RECE home visitor is mandatory with the licensing process and there's no way around it. However, we're seeking a small regulatory change to get it down to quarterly visits for those providers who don't require so much support. It's not the just Ministry inspections you pay for. We're weeding through all the muck and sorting out which agency policies are actually government mandated and which are inflated by the agencies themselves. See, quarterly visits are actually what is government mandated to begin with, so we actually have a decent shot at this. If we get the Coop off the ground, we will be offering a greatly streamlined model compared to the existing agency model. We just don't need what they're offering and it would be nice to have another option out there. But the ministry has said, flat out, that they will not be providing funding, hence the fees. That's what's going on with agencies too. There just isn't enough money to go around. From what I've seen, the majority of the funding goes into institutional care, but even that is dismal.

[cfred]

In theory, yes. Being licensed does open you up to subsidy. Subsidies are typically handled municipally, not provincially, so it adds another layer of bureaucracy to the fold and we're not sure how that will affect it.. We're having a meeting via teleconference tomorrow night. I've made a note to ask about this and will get back to you on Thursday morning. I want to leave this question to Heidi as I'm not quite as well versed in it. Okay?

[cfred]

No, Betsy, the coop will not require you to have an ECE diploma. In fact, none of the the founders had them. I do, but not everyone does. We are simply ICPs supporting ICPs. We value dedication to the profession and quality thereof.

Regarding UCC. I wouldn't spend too much time panicking about that right now. Mulcair is slipping in the polls and he also needs all the provinces to kick in 40% of the cost of his plan. Ontario and BC have already said no. For some reason, I remember Alberta (although NDP) digging in their heels. I believe they said they can afford $25/day, but that's as far as their numbers could carry them....I just can't find the article, so running off memory. Now, of course, we don't know how much of Ontario and BC is political posturing. But, even still, we know the money isn't there. And I'm pretty sure the poorer provinces like PEI, Newfoundland, etc won't be able to foot the bill either. Even if it does come in, it's going to take time. But CICPO wants to have the Coop up and running either with or without UCC. It's our view that ICPs could benefit from a larger body supporting them, should they wish it. So far as the Coop going through...we can't say for sure at this point, but we did find out today that one of the larger agencies that was represented at the meeting, has approached some providers with a new model....a model very similar to one we developed months ago. Needless to say, we're thrilled that they've done a complete turnaround and embraced our idea as, clearly, it means it's viable. So, sit tight....we'll know more soon.